Alaska is a place built for mysteries. It’s enormous, remote, and filled with stories that don’t always have a satisfying explanation. From unexplained disappearances and eerie legends to bizarre events buried in Alaska history, join us as we count down our picks for Alaska’s Top 10 Greatest Mysteries.

What happened to the people who vanished without a trace? Which Alaska legends might have more truth behind them than we think? And what strange events still leave historians, scientists, and locals scratching their heads?! It’s the episode that proves the Last Frontier still has plenty of secrets left to uncover!

Alaskan Beer of the Week: Camp Stove Robust Porter by Palmer Brewing Company

Music By: Blackwater Railroad Company [www.blackwaterrailroad.com] and Scott Buckley [https://soundcloud.com/scottbuckley]

Support Us on Patreon: [https://www.patreon.com/thelastfrontier]

Support the show

It’s Halloween on The Last Frontier Podcast, which means it’s time for our annual trip into the world of Dungeons & Dragons. This year, we’re raiding Alaska history to build the ultimate adventuring party. We’ve taken 14 real figures from Alaska’s past, from explorers and mushers to warriors, scientists, artists, pilots, healers, and even a notorious con man, and assigned each of them a D&D character class. So join us and we explore historical figures of Alaskan history through the lens of D&D.

Who makes the perfect Alaska Ranger? Which famous Alaskan deserves to be a Paladin? And when the dice start rolling, will Danny or Andrew end up with the stronger party?! It’s the episode that asks the question historians have somehow overlooked for centuries: If a dragon attacked Alaska, who are you putting in your party?!

Alaskan Beer of the Week: India Pale Ale by Ravens Ring Brewing Company

Music By: Blackwater Railroad Company [www.blackwaterrailroad.com] and Scott Buckley [https://soundcloud.com/scottbuckley]

Support Us on Patreon: [https://www.patreon.com/thelastfrontier]

Support the show

The name Alaska has appeared on some pretty impressive ships in the history of the United States Navy. From an early steam-powered warship, to one of the largest cruisers ever built, to a nuclear-powered submarine carrying enough firepower to alter the course of history, the USS Alaska name has evolved right alongside the state itself. So join us this week as we’re tracing the history of the vessels that have carried Alaska’s name...where they served, what made each one unique, and how the Last Frontier ended up represented on some very different generations of American warships.

How many ships have carried the name USS Alaska? Why was one of them so unusual that the Navy struggled to even classify it? And what does today’s USS Alaska have lurking beneath the waves? It’s the episode that if you're not careful, will blow you away!

Alaskan Beer of the Week: Board Walker Belgian Amber Ale by Devil's Club Brewing Company

Music By: Blackwater Railroad Company [www.blackwaterrailroad.com] and Scott Buckley [https://soundcloud.com/scottbuckley]

Support Us on Patreon: [https://www.patreon.com/thelastfrontier]

Support the show

A massive three-masted sailing ship recently pulled into Seward’s harbor, flying the flag of Mexico. It was a sight to behold, and your favorite Alaskan bald eagles even had the opportunity to climb aboard and tour the vessel. Interestingly enough, this wasn’t the ship’s first connection to Seward. So this week, we’re talking about the ARM Cuauhtémoc...its nearly four decades sailing the world as a training ship and floating ambassador for Mexico, its tragic collision with the Brooklyn Bridge, and the journey that eventually brought it all the way to Seward.

What is a Mexican Navy tall ship doing in Alaska? Why does Mexico still operate a ship that looks like it belongs in another century? And how did this same vessel end up making international headlines after colliding with the Brooklyn Bridge?! It’s the episode that proves sometimes one of Alaska’s most interesting stories can simply sail into town!

Alaskan Beer of the Week: Forager Force by 49th State Brewing Company

Music By: Blackwater Railroad Company [www.blackwaterrailroad.com] and Scott Buckley [https://soundcloud.com/scottbuckley]

Support Us on Patreon: [https://www.patreon.com/thelastfrontier]

Support the show

Building anything in Alaska comes with challenges. Mountains, glaciers, rivers, permafrost, earthquakes, brutal winters, and enormous distances have forced engineers to find solutions that simply aren’t necessary in most other places.

Yet Alaska is home to highways carved through wilderness, railroads crossing mountain ranges, massive dams, tunnels, bridges, and an 800-mile pipeline stretching from the Arctic to Prince William Sound.

So join us today as we dig into some amazing projects and count down our picks for the Top 10 Greatest Engineering Feats in Alaska. What did it take to build these projects? Which one presented the greatest engineering challenge? And which deserves the title of Alaska’s greatest engineering feat?! It’s the episode that's engineered for success!

Alaskan Beer of the Week: Lingonberry Farmhouse Ale by Stoney Creek Brew House

Music By: Blackwater Railroad Company [www.blackwaterrailroad.com] and Scott Buckley [https://soundcloud.com/scottbuckley]

Support Us on Patreon: [https://www.patreon.com/thelastfrontier]

Support the show

We’ve learned what Alaska’s salmon hatcheries are and why they exist, but do they actually work? In Part 2 of our look at Alaska’s salmon hatchery system, we follow those fish from the hatchery back to the fishery, looking at just how successful these programs have been and the questions they raise along the way. How do you know if a salmon came from a hatchery? Can there actually be too many salmon in the North Pacific? And are hatcheries helping Alaska’s wild salmon or putting them at risk?! It’s the episode that asks whether you can have too much of a good thing!

Alaskan Beer of the Week: Squirrel's Inn Hazy IPA by Stoney Creek Brew House

Music By: Blackwater Railroad Company [www.blackwaterrailroad.com] and Scott Buckley [https://soundcloud.com/scottbuckley]

Support Us on Patreon: [https://www.patreon.com/thelastfrontier]

Support the show

How wild are Alaska’s salmon, really? In Part 1 of our two-part look at Alaska’s salmon hatchery system, we bring in friend of the pod Uncle Dave, a marine biologist who spent years managing fish hatcheries for Great Lakes salmon. Together, we dive into what hatcheries actually do, how Alaska’s system compares to other regions, and where the line between “wild” and “hatchery” salmon really begins to blur. What caused the need for hatcheries in Alaska? How many salmon eggs do Alaskan hatcheries collect? And how do you put a barcode on a hatchery salmon?! It's the episode you'll swim upstream for!

Alaskan Beer of the Week: Swirl Chocolate Vanilla Porter by Magnetic North Brewing Company

Music By: Blackwater Railroad Company [www.blackwaterrailroad.com] and Scott Buckley [https://soundcloud.com/scottbuckley]

Support Us on Patreon: [https://www.patreon.com/thelastfrontier]

Support the show

Most people know the wolverine as Marvel's razor-clawed mutant with an attitude problem. But Alaska's real wolverine doesn't need adamantium to earn its reputation. Pound for pound, it's one of the toughest, most fearless animals on the planet...a predator famous for taking on prey many times its size, surviving some of the harshest conditions imaginable, and disappearing into the wilderness almost as quickly as it appears.

In this episode of the Last Frontier Podcast, we explore the fascinating world of Alaska's wolverines. From their incredible strength and oversized territories to the myths, legends, and scientific mysteries that surround them, we uncover what makes this elusive carnivore one of the North's most iconic animals.

Can a wolverine really chase wolves away from a carcass? Why do wolverines have trouble dating? And who would win in a battle between a wolverine and a sea otter?! It's the episode that'll prove size isn't everything!

Alaskan Beer of the Week: Tailgate Amante by Brewerks

Music By: Blackwater Railroad Company [www.blackwaterrailroad.com] and Scott Buckley [https://soundcloud.com/scottbuckley]

Support Us on Patreon: [https://www.patreon.com/thelastfrontier]

Support the show